Vassilev calls Lukoil bill state-led raid, vows resistance

A draft law that would allow the state to seize Lukoil Bulgaria and appoint a state-appointed commercial administrator amounts to nationalization, opposition MP Radostin Vassilev said. He said the measure would give the appointee sweeping control over company assets, strip owners of judicial remedies and direct any proceeds under government order. Vassilev accused sponsors Stanislav Anastasov, Pavela Mitova and Delyan Dobrev of enabling an enforced takeover and warned that Delyan Peevski could determine who runs the refinery. He added that his MECH group and allied deputies had been excluded from an emergency meeting of the energy committee and dismissed claims the proposal mirrors a German approach. Vassilev said he and his colleagues intend to challenge the measure during parliamentary debate.

Vassilev said the move could trigger costly arbitration, discourage reputable Western buyers and prolong dependence on Moscow. The debate follows Swiss trader Gunvor’s withdrawal of an offer for Lukoil foreign holdings after a U.S. Treasury statement described the firm as a Russian proxy. Lawmakers remain divided as they weigh legal, commercial and political risks while discussions continue in parliament.